Our team | Ride the Wave

John Schepens

Chair of the Board

Why I do this

The Ride the Wave Project was born out of a love of surfing and a desire for an equal society. During our travels, we’ve had the chance to discover many different cultures, surf in the most beautiful spots and meet wonderful people. Through this project, this fantastic experience is within everyone’s reach.

Janne Hagt

Board

Why I do this

From my experience of coaching children and young people, I know how important it is to have a passion. Horses are my passion: something that makes you get out of bed with a smile on your face and that always makes you feel good. A place where you meet people who share that feeling with you and where you always want to improve yourself. Not because others expect you to, but because you want to. I wish that for everyone, and I hope that through the Ride the Wave Project we can pass on this fantastic feeling.

Jeroen Cremer

Board

Why I do this

Have a board, will travel! That’s exactly what surfing can mean. Getting out and about, creating your own adventure and sharing a passion with like-minded people. I’ve been lucky enough to have discovered surfing, and it has given me so much. It’s therefore a privilege that, through the Ride the Wave Project, I can introduce people to this fantastic sport who wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to try it. Because surfing is a gift for everyone!

Niels van Steenis

Fire Safety Manager & Instructor

Why I do this

Sitting still, doing the same thing every day with the same people… the ultimate nightmare for Niels. One day, he got into surfing and everything fell into place: running his own business so he could work and surf whenever he wanted, with variety in his day. Why should other young people have to go through the same struggle when there’s a better-suited path?

Lieke Kempen

Team member

Why I do this

My name is Lieke and I live in Den Haag. When I’m in the water, it’s one of the few places where I can really take my mind off everything else for a while. Not what happened yesterday, not what I still have to do tomorrow – just what I’m doing at that very moment. I’m definitely not a pro surfer (in fact, I’m still learning), but that’s precisely the beauty of it: you don’t have to be. Simply being in the sea gives me both a huge boost of energy and a sense of calm. And the tiredness after surfing is truly wonderful and well-deserved. I’d love everyone to experience that. That’s why I’m committed to Ride the Wave: to give young people exactly that same sense of freedom and peace.

Mick Visser

Surfing specialist

Why I do this

I have experienced first-hand what a great teacher the ocean can be. Surfing has had a positive impact on every aspect of my life and shown me how important it is to have a passion. I want to share that passion, which is why I am committed to this project.